The artistic interpretation of Tolkien's imagination can be breathtaking. Or it can be appalling... Join in on the discussion of the artistic representations and collectible items in the Tolkien universe.

I am new to TOR, and registered to converse with fellow fans about a project im working on....

I am plan to create a personal version of LotR, with The Silmarillion and Children of Hurin to follow. A little background: I am a digital press operator by trade and bookbinder by hobby (extreme hobby!!). My binding interested lay in gothing binding (wooden boards and clasps) and fine design bindings. With that, I find most books produced today to be poorly made at best. I find that even Easton Press versions are offensive to me in its poor construction. My inspiration to start bookbinding and this project was the Codex Gigas.

I propose to produce a single volume copy of Lord of the Rings, maybe to include the Hobbit. Giving the scope of the project, consideration is given to creating a second volume that contains “first and second age” material.This project is heavily influence by my desire to a book similar nature to the Codex Gigas. I do not necessarily want to create a Red Book of Westmarch, but maybe an interpretation of the book as it excised for lore-masters in Gondor. So with that in mind the approach should reflect the way we have gather individual books as chapters in the Christian Bible.

Books size: 1:1.618 (φ) = 17inch x 10.50inchPaper: alpha cellulose/cotton/hemp. Strong, durable and slower to breakdown with contact with oxygon {its why paper yellows}. I also think about having a 21in x 34in vellum foldout map, included in the book or as a seperate book. I think it should be able to fold out (from the rear) and viewable from any page.Cover ideas:

Black stone (slate) with carved title, guilt in gold.

Alum tawed white calf with gold furnature.

Ideas:For the sake fo making a collection, there may be differant versions of the book (halfling books are books with an 11" spine): 1 large book (black/gold), 3 large books (white/silver), 7 halfling books (red/brown), 9 halfling books (black/copper). Just some ideas...

My biggest issues at the moment is font face selection and text inclusion. As opposed to the project done by Hári Isván, I am not going to handwrite the whole thing and like Benjamin Harff'sproject, I do not want to recreate 'The Book of Kells'. I am thinking of using a modern, readable font that comes with an italice face and complimenting it with handwritten elements. I do want to add illuminated drop caps and decorated chapter tiles... ( check out the wonderful work of Benoit Furet)

Aside from the artwork already stated, I don't think I will include any illustrations. I did think about adding the work of Jay Johnstone... maybe in a seperate volume...

I have been attempting to get reprint rights from Harcourt Mifflin (rights owners for the US territories) for a couple years now. I might follow the path of Mr Harff. Just make one proof-of-concept then see if they will allow me to publish a few more copies/sets. I'm not sure the Tolkien Estate can grant me rights since I beleave all US/North America 'textual/print' rights are granted to HM...